You Should Be Embarrassed to Drive a Tesla

Ten years ago, the sight of a Tesla on UK roads turned heads — definitely not for its aesthetics (obviously), but because it represented the future of clean energy and innovation. A Tesla wasn’t just a car; it was a symbol of ecological progress, a promise of a greener tomorrow — kind of like the Prius’s cooler, tech-savvy cousin. Today, however, the same vehicle stirs up mixed feelings — once a symbol of progress, now tangled in political controversy.

At first, owning a Tesla was more than a practical choice; it was a statement of commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing technology’s role in solving the climate crisis. Early adopters were a proud alliance of eco-warriors and tech nerds, zipping around smugly on clean energy. But lately, that symbolism has done a full U-turn. Not because people suddenly miss petrol stations or oil changes, but because driving one now feels less like a statement about sustainability and more like an unsolicited subscription to the Elon Musk fan club. What was once a symbol of progress now comes with an unspoken disclaimer for the embarrassed masses: “I bought the car, not the Twitter rants.”

Musk was once celebrated as a pioneer — a man who disrupted industries and tackled humanity’s biggest challenges, from renewable energy to space exploration. Tesla’s mission, to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy,” once felt genuine under his leadership. But as Musk’s public behaviour became more erratic, so too did the brand’s reputation. Once a champion of green technology, he has increasingly aligned himself with figures and rhetoric that contradict those ideals.

During Donald Trump’s second inauguration last month, when the 47th president once again blurted “Drill, baby, drill,” Musk’s enthusiastic applause — and later, his own speech, which included a questionable arm gesture — did little to ease the concerns of those already raising an eyebrow. When you add Musk’s cosy chats with climate deniers and his love for stirring up culture wars on X, it's hard to ignore how his actions have tarnished Tesla’s once-pristine image as a green, progressive leader in a market that’s anything but conservative.

The numbers reflect this shift. Tesla’s upward trajectory in dominance of the electric vehicle (EV)  market has declined by global units sold from 21 per cent in 2021 to 18 per cent in 2024, as legacy automakers like Ford, GM, and Volkswagen ramp up their production. Even newcomers like Rivian and Lucid Motors are chipping away at Tesla’s share, finding custom with environmentally conscious consumers who now find Tesla too polarising.

While increased market competition plays a role, consumer surveys suggest Tesla’s decline isn’t just about more options. A Morning Consult report found Tesla’s net favourability among Democrats dropped by over twenty per cent between October and November 2022 — coinciding with Musk’s acquisition of X and his endorsements of GOP candidates in the Midterms. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of respondents in a recent Electrifying.com survey said Musk’s reputation would deter them from buying a Tesla, with 56 per cent now open to purchasing a Chinese-branded EV.

For many, it is no longer about sustainable energy but about Musk’s personality — his alignment with alarming rhetoric, his provocative social media outbursts, and his apparent disdain for the environmental ethos that once defined his brand. This shift in perception underscores a broader trend: the politicisation of consumer choices.

If Tesla hopes to become a less questionable choice for those looking to make the EV switch, it needs to break free from the controversies surrounding its CEO, and his blend of hypocritical and just plain bad politics. The world doesn’t just need electric cars, it needs trust in the companies that make them. Right now, Tesla’s competitors are cleverly positioning themselves as apolitical alternatives — green vehicles for a cleaner future, minus the baggage of ideological warfare.

The decline of Tesla as a symbol of hope serves as a cautionary tale. It is a chilling reminder applicable to much of the innovation we see today — whether it be artificial intelligence or healthcare breakthroughs — that progress isn’t just about technology; it is about the intent and values that drive innovation forward. As for me, Mr. Musk, I think it’s time to ditch your electric dream — maybe I’ll go for a gas-guzzler, or better yet, a Nissan Leaf.

Illustration by Amaris Adekola